The recovery and/or remediation of metal ions from the environment is essential for both retaining sovereign resources (such as battery components) and to mitigate environmental impact from activities such as nuclear waste processing or precious metal and electronic waste (rare earths) recovery. Increasing anthropogenic activity has led to elevated concentrations of toxic and economically valuable metals in industrial effluents, mine drainage, and even natural water bodies, posing risks to ecosystem health and human well-being. The practises currently used to extract these resources are unsustainable. For example, gold mining in many countries still involves the use of toxic cyanide, which children are exposed too; Tools for the recovery of lithium, rare earths and uranium (electronic, battery and mining wastes) are urgently needed.
This exciting, interdisciplinary PhD project will take inspiration from extremophile organisms (such as those that live in ocean hot vents, or sub-zero mountain ranges) to develop new biomaterials for the selective extraction, purification and valorisation of both precious metals, but also to recover toxic metal waste, such as that from the nuclear industry. We will both improve the recovery and replace the currently unsustainable solid-phase extraction systems, making broad impact.
The successful candidate will work between the Gibson (https://gibsongroupresearch.com) and Natrajan (https://teamnatrajan.weebly.com) groups, and benefit from truly world-class facilities between the Department of Chemistry and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.
Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply.
How to apply: To be considered for this project you’ll need complete a formal application through our online application portal. This link should directly open an application for FSE Bicentenary PhD.
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your proposed supervisor/s, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You also need to provide a Personal Statement describing the motivation to apply to the project and your CV. Your application cannot be processed without all of the required documents, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines where applications are incomplete.
Equality, diversity and inclusion: Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
Eligibility: Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or equivalent) in in chemistry or a relevant, related, subject area. Research experience in analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry or polymer chemistry is desirable.
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